Distinctive Smiles of Dublin Blog

While dental amalgam  has proven itself to be an effective and relatively inexpensive material for filling cavities caused by tooth decay over the past 150 years, it is not the most pleasing aesthetic choice. Amalgam’s silver color stands in stark contrast to natural tooth color when placed in visible tooth surfaces. For this reason, patients are likely to prefer composite-resin tooth-colored fillings, which can so closely approximate their natural tooth color as to be virtually unnoticeable. Composite resins may be somewhat less durable than amalgam fillings, and they may cost more, but patients’ concerns over cosmetics have made them an increasingly popular choice. As far as dentists are concerned, the best filling is no dental filling. Prevention is preferred.

As mentioned in today’s column, the use of amalgam is declining. There is an abundance of innovative technologies and devices available to continually help us improve the quality and comfort of care we deliver. At DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, we stress preventive dentistry for the entire family. Be sure to regularly brush, floss, and have professional cleanings. When was the last time you had a dental checkup? Please call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. Smiles are our business. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Composite resin material, which is composed of a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture, can be used to reshape disfigured teeth.

The aspect of dental implants that makes them so durable and effective, “osseointegration,” occurs when bone cells attach themselves directly to the titanium surface of the dental implant.  This phenomenon was discovered quite by accident over 50 years ago  by a Swedish surgeon who was conducting research into the healing patterns of bone tissue. He found that, when pure titanium comes in contact with living bone tissue, they form a permanent biological adhesion. Dentists were quick to make use of this phenomenon for dental implantation. Today, this innovation stands at the center of tooth-implant technology that utilizes titanium implants to serve as the rooted foundation for the attachment of prosthetic teeth that feel and look like natural teeth.

It’s obvious that our smile, or more specific our teeth, are important to us in many ways. New advances in cosmetic dentistry, such as implants, have everyone smiling. Let us help you increase your sense of self-esteem. For complete dental care, come see us at DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin. Let us help you make the most of your smile. As your dental professionals we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality dental care, in a relaxing and comfortable environment. Call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Dental implants are composed of the titanium implant (which is inserted directly into the bone), the abutment (which connects the implant device to the prosthetic tooth), and  the overlying crown or denture.

A “gummy smile” (excessive gingival display) exposes too much gum tissue when a person smiles. Due to factors that include undersized teeth, overgrown gum tissue, an overactive elevation muscle of the upper lip, or an upper lip that joins too closely to the gum tissue, the ratio of lips, gums, and teeth is out of balance. While Botox injections may be used to treat an over-developed elevation muscle, the surgical procedure known as “myotomy” offers more permanent results. When the joint between the upper lip and the gums inside the mouth is over-developed, surgically decreasing the space between the upper lip and gum tissue reduces gum exposure. Lastly, overgrown gums can be corrected with “laser gingivectomy.”

To have an attractive smile, one needs beautiful teeth as well as pleasant-looking gums. A gummy smile does not have to ruin your smile; the right treatments can restore your smile confidence. At DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, we provide dentistry utilizing modern and up-to-date procedures. We invite you to call us at 614.792.1800. When was the last time you had a professional dental checkup? We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, where we stress preventive health care – and we believe good dental health requires constant attention. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Laser gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue and seals blood vessels so that no stitches are required.

What effect can energy drinks, gels, bars, and frequent snacking have on athletes’ teeth? The dental director for the International Olympic Committee reveals that a great many Olympic athletes have broken teeth, abscesses, decay, and other dental issues. The problem is that many of them consume acidic, sugary drinks and energy bars that attack teeth while their dehydrated bodies do not produce enough saliva to remineralize their tooth enamel. In addition, most Olympic athletes are ages 16 to 25 years old, which is the group at highest risk for tooth decay. As these young adults fly the family nest and abandon many of their healthy eating habits, they become more susceptible to tooth decay. Athletes and exercisers take careful note.

Diet and nutrition are important environmental factors affecting oral health problems such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The best time to see your dentist is before you have a problem. The most valuable service DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN can provide is a thorough and complete examination. Virtually all dental problems – decay, gum disease, jaw joint difficulties and loose teeth – are easily detected in their early stages and can be treated economically and comfortably at that time. We are located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, where we’re currently accepting new patients. Please call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Many competitive athletes grind their teeth at night, probably in response to the competitive pressures they face.

Whether it is used to create veneers, crowns, or fixed bridges, porcelain is the material of choice  because it so closely matches the appearance, durability, and longevity of tooth enamel. Porcelain mimics the light-reflecting qualities of natural teeth better than opaque resins. All-porcelain dental crowns also generally provide a better natural color match than any other material, making them a good choice for veneers and replacing front teeth. On the other hand, when it comes to crowns and fixed bridges, porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns provide the needed added strength that an underlying metal structure can provide. Porcelain crowns not only look and feel like natural teeth, they also  require the same degree of care.

Talk with us at DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN about the latest developments and technologies available to enhance your smile. Explain the result that you are trying to achieve. We will examine your teeth to make sure veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. Our recommendations are always in the best interest of our patients. We feel a deep responsibility and commitment to provide you the very best care with state-of-the-art technology. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin. Please call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment for high quality dental care. Let us help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Porcelain matches natural enamel’s translucency, enabling light to pass through it and bounce off the inner (more opaque) layer.

If dental appointments make you anxious, you should make your feelings known to the dentist and dental hygienist, who can help you overcome your anxiety. A fuller explanation of the procedure at hand often helps patients know what to expect and prepare for any mild discomfort that they may feel. Topical and injected anesthetics make pain a non-issue; however, simply the thought of experiencing pain arouses such anxiety that patients feel a bit overwhelmed. Recent research published in The Journal of the American Dental Association shows that the urge to gag that many patients experience is often founded in fear. Once patient worries are properly addressed with reassurance, soothing music, and/or medication in some cases, dental appointments become worry-free.

Part of our commitment to serving our patients includes providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about their oral health needs and plans to eliminate anxiety. At DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN, we encourage you to talk to us about your dental health. Preventing dental disease is less costly and more rewarding than correcting the problem. We will show you how to care for your teeth. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, where we provide quality, personal dental care in a comfortable, immaculate, professional environment. Please call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. Let us help you bring out that natural smile. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. It is the pain that occurs before treatment that makes root-canal therapy so uncomfortable. Most patients report that the root-canal procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed.

When it comes to deciding whether or not to have wisdom teeth extracted, there are a number of factors to consider. While some individuals have enough room in their dental arches to accommodate all their wisdom teeth, those with smaller jaws often find that their wisdom teeth erupt improperly. As a result of coming in crookedly, their third molars are difficult to brush and floss, which can lead to increased risk of gum disease and cavities. To avert these potential problems, some patients elect to have their wisdom teeth extracted. However, some people do not realize that their wisdom teeth are impacted (trapped beneath the gums) until an x-ray indicates as much. If so, a consultation with the dentist is needed.

Many times wisdom teeth — the third molars in the very back of your mouth — do not have room to grow properly, which can cause problems. Erupting wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. For more information about our dental services, we invite you to call DISTINCTIVE SMILES OF DUBLIN today. We would like to increase dental awareness and stress the importance of regular dental care. It’s never too late to start good oral hygiene. Remember that nothing is more economical than regular dental checkups. For gentle compassionate dental care, call 614.792.1800 to schedule an appointment. We’re located at 5142 Blazer Parkway, Dublin. Creating Healthy Beautiful Smiles.

P.S. Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to erupt, usually somewhere between the ages of 14 and 21.